The Late Bro. Col. A. C. Foster Gouge, P.G.M. Staffordshire.

THE LATE BRO . COL . A . C . FOSTER GOUGE , P . G . M . STAFFORDSHIRE .

Bro . Col . Foster Gough , to whose unexpected death wc briefly referred in our last week ' s issue , and from whom , as ss'e then said , there might reasonably have been expected many years of valuable service , had about him all the attributes of a sterling English gentleman . In his profession of a solicitor , as commandant for many years of a Volunteer battalion , as a

sportsman , as a country gentleman , and as member of many learned societies , in all the multifarious labours which devolved upon him in these various capacities , there was one feeling vvhich actuated him above all others , that of fulfilling his duty to the utmost of his ability . He vvas the very pink of geniality and courtesy , but at thc same time he vvas a strict disciplinarian .

He spared himself in nothing that he undertook and he expected that all vvho were associated vvith him should do likewise . He vvas a thorough soldier , as is shown by the present highl y efficient state of the 3 rd Volunteer Battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment , vvith which he vvas connected from Its establishment in 18-59 till his retirement from thc service in 18 S 8 , while

his residence at Graiseley , near Wolverhampton , was filled with the trophies of his skill as a sportsman . In Freemasonry he took a deep and abiding interest , and his death will be regarded everywhere as a serious loss to the Craft , but more especially in the Province of Staffordshire , of which at the time of his death he vvas the chief .

Our deceased brother was initiated in the Lodge of Honour , No . 526 , Wolverhampton , in 1856 , and 1857 and the year following presided over it as W . M . He was subsequently appointed Prov . S . G . W . of Staffordshire , and in 1865 received the patent as D . P . G . M . from thc hands of Bro . Harvey , thc then Provincial Grand Master . It was in this capacity that he

took a leading part on the occasion of the visit to Hartshill , on the 25 th June , 1 S 66 , of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , vvho vvas not then a member of our Fraternity , for the purpose of laying the foundation-stone of the New North Staffordshire Infirmary . In 1881 , when Bro , Col . S . Tudor was appointed to succeed the late Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot as chief of

thc same Province , our deceased brother vvas again offered and again accepted the office of Deputy , and on Colonel Tudor ' s vacation of his post , the Prince of Wales , as M . W . G . M ., vvas pleased to appoint Col . Gough his successor . His installation took place in the Shire Hall , Stafford , on the 30 th April , 1889 , the ceremony being performed by the retiring dignitary in the presence of a large gathering of the members

of the province . He vvas also a Royal Arch Mason , a Past Grand Std . Br . of Supreme Grand Chapter , Past Prov . G . H ., and , at the time of his death Grand Superintendent of Staffordshire , while in the Mark Degree he was Past Prov . G . M . of Staffordshire . Hc was most energetic in the performance of his duties , and enjoyed the love and respect oi the whole bod y oi brethren in Staffordshire .

At the annual festival of the St . John ' s Lodge , held at Lichfield , on Wednesday , the 3 rd inst ., the following resolution was unanimously passed .-"The W . M ., officers , and brethren of St . John ' s Lodge , No . 1039 , most deeply regret the great loss the Province of StalTordshire has sustained by

the death of the Right Worthy Provincial Grand Masier , Colonel Foster Gough , LL . D . The } ' beg to record their high appreciation of his earnestness and zeal in the cause and progress of true Freemasonry , his devotion to duty , and his pleadings in thc cause of Charity , and offer their condolence to his relatives in their great and sudden bereavement . "

The brethren of St . Peter ' s Lodge , the oldest in the town of Wolverhampton , held their usual monthly meeting on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., at the Star and Garter , under somewhat dismal surroundings . The lodge itself was draped in black , in consequence of the recent death oi the Duke of Clarence and Avondale .

The lodge having been opened , Bro . C A . NEWNHAM , P . G . T ., after enumerating the names of many brethren who had latel y died in the Province of Staffordshire , adverted to the sudden and unexpected death of the Prov . Grand Master , who , only at their last meeting had been amongst them as a visitor , full of life and health . He then proposed a resolution to thc following effect , which vvas passed unanimously : " The W . M ., officers , and

brethren of St . Peter s Lodge , No . 419 , most deeply regret the great loss the Province of Staffordshire has sustained by the death of the Ri ght Worthy Provincial Grand Master , Col . Foster Gough , LL . D . The } - beg to record their high appreciation of his earnestness and zeal in the cause and p rogress of Freemasonry , and offer their condolence to his relatives in their great and sudden bereavement . " The lodge was then closed .

THE FUNERAL

The remains of Colonel Gough were interred in the General Cemetery on Saturday , the 6 th inst . Manifestations of grief and respect were apparent in different parts of the town . It having become known that the funeral would be honoured with Masonic and military rights , large crowds oi people assembled at the various leading thoroughfares in the expectation of witnessing a pageant of an imposing character , being largely attended by gentlemen who knew his worth , and who deeply deplored his severance .

The remains vvere conveyed from London to Wolverhampton 011 Wednesday night , and taken to the residence , Graiseley Hill , and thc procession started from the house at 2 . 30 . The mourners were the Rev . Dr . Roscdale , Mr . W . Gough Allen , Rev , C . H . Gough , Rev . W . E . Rosedale , Messrs . A . S . Shaw , Walter W . Shasv , H . F . Gough , J . Tunnicliffe , W . ILCoIebourn , J . Perkins , J . Darby , T . C . King , J . Bodenham , C . Matthews , J . F . Pepper " and E . C . " Russell .

Amongst those vvho sent wreaths were the Rev . Prebendary Allen ; the Principal , officers and companions of St . Peter ' s Lodge , No . 419—a livepointed star , vvith square and compass in violets ; Mr . W . II . Colcbourn , Mr . and Mrs . W . Gough Allen , Mr . and Mrs . J . Darby , Col . S . Tudor , theW . M . and brethren ofthe Marmion Lod ge , No . 1060 ; thc W . M ., ofiicers , and brethren of the Lodgeof Honour , No . 526 ; thc W . M . and

The Late Bro. Col. A. C. Foster Gouge, P.G.M. Staffordshire.

brethren of the Dartmouth Lodge , No . 662 ; Miss C Eyre , Miss Annie Perkins , Mr . and Mrs . T . Jervis Addenbrooke ; the Wolverhampton Troop of the Queen ' s Own Royal Yeomanry , in the shape of a Staffordshire knot in violets and other beautiful Howers , & c . Among the brethren present svere Bros . J . Bodenham , P . P . G . W ., P . A . G . D . C . ; R . Clay Sudlow , P . G . Std . Br . ; W . F . Bradley , P . G . Chap . ; G . H . Stanger , P . G . Reg . ; Major E . H . ThorneP . G . Secretary ; J . Davenport , P . J . G . D . ; W . E . Challinor ,

, P . A . G . D . of C ; A . Nesvton Lee , P . G . S . B . ; Major G . W . Walker , P . A . G . Secretary ; G . Platt , P . G . Purst .-, Capt . A . McBean , P . G . Stesvard ; F . Taylor , P . G . Stesvard . ; T . J . Barnett , P . P . G . W . ; Charles Tsvigg , P . P . G . W . ; I . F . Pepper , P . P . G . W . ; Thomas Taylor , P . P . G . W . ; W . J . Gothard , P . P . G . W . ; G . Ashmall , P . P . J . G . D . ; E . Roberts , P . P . J . G . D . ; ] . Powell , P . P . G . S . of W . ; W . Brosvn , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; W . Tunnicliff , P . P . G . Supt . of Wks . ; E . W . Taylor , VV . M . 726 , P . P . G . O . ; T . Jones , P . P . G . P . ; J . Williams , P . P . G . P . ; W . H . Smith , W . M . 347 ; T . Skett , W . M . 419 ; ] . Dunbar Steen , W . M . 526 ; J . M . Wood , W . M . 546 ; E . M .

Scott , W . M . 6 9 6 ; F . Nokes , W . M . 1838 ; G . W . Bradford , W . M . 2149 ; VV . H . Newby , I . P . M . 460 ; G . F . Oldershasv , P . M . 662 ; G . Haynes , I . P . M . 1039 ; I . Clark , P . M . 526 ; G . Baker , P . M . 526 ; E . Hallam , P . M . 1942 ; T . M . Hamer , I . P . M . 10 G 0 ; H . Windle , P . M . 41 S ; J . Bradney , I . P . M . 419 ; T . Ironmonger , P . M . 526 ; 1 . Stone , S . W . 1060 ; F . T . Beck , S . W . 419 ; E . F . Coleman , J . W . 419 ; Edwin " Berry , Sec . 419 ; J . J . Smith , J . VV . 526 ; C . F . Lloyd , J . W . 1039 ; H . P . Smith , S . W . vSjS -, W . Lister , S . W . 4 S 2 ; H . HaU , S . W . 52 G ; ] . D . Wassell , Sec . 183 S ;

I A . Lloyd , J . D . 526 ; VV . Baker , Org . 526 ; T . W . Bennett , S . D . 1 S 3 S ; W . Skett , I . G . 419 ; J . Hackett , S . W . 1941 ; T . C . Bigwood , J . P . 4 ' 9 ' A . Smyrk , S . W . 1039 ; C . Moore , I . G . 1039 ; G . Taylor , S . D . 1942 ; J . T . Fenton , + tS ; R . M . Lord , 419 ; J . Annan , 419 ; J . Bigsvood , 419 ; Herbert M . Lord , J . W . Rodgers , 41 S ; T . Knight , 419 ; J . Evans , 526 ; J . E . Morris , 526 ; W . Hamblett , 347 ; C . Manton ; j . Simpson , 6 9 6 ; J . N . Lester , 526 ; F . Jones , 451 ; H . S . Martin , toCo ; A . Eyles , 1039 ; G . Bullock , 1039 ; E . Lay , P . P . G . S . B . Worcester ; G . B . Mitchell , 1044 ; A . Jefferson , 1121 ; W . Twist , P . G . Tyler ; and many other brethren .

A large number of letters of apology for non-attendance vvere received by the P . G . Secretary from brethren unable to attend . A deputation vvas present from the Wolverhampton Troop of the Queen ' s Own Royal Yeomanry , of which the deceased was formerly a member . The officers and men of the 3 rd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment assembled at their head-quarters , Stafford-street , shortly before two o ' clock , and soon afterwards marched to the residence of the deceased .

Colonel Nayler was in command ( in the unavoidable absence of Colonel Tudor ) , and amongst the officers present were Major Pritchard , Major Thorne , Major Morgan , Capt . Chapman , Capt . Underbill , Capt . Guy , Lieut . Pratt , Lieut . Watcrhouse , and others . The coffin was followed by the mourners , and immediately afterwards by the ofiicers of the Grand Lodge , Present and Past , Present and Past Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , the ollicers and members of thc Provincial and Grand Chapter , the brethren of the Province of Staffordshire , and the brethren from other provinces .

The service vvas conducted by the Rev . E . F . Wanstall , Vicar of St . Paul's , Wolverhampton . At the graveside the service was read by Bro . thc Rev . W . F . Bradley , of St . Peter ' s , West Bromwich , Prov . Grand Chaplain of Staffordshire . In accordance with Masonic custom , thc reverend brother delivered an oration , and said they had just laid to rest one whose heart was ever warm . His Masonic gifts vvere great . There lay their dear Master , vvho had been

taken so suddenly from them , in the midst of all that activity of vvhich they were all aware . Only recently—a week ago—he had stated to a brother that he had paid no less than 50 visits to lodges in the province since a very short time back . He had expressed his intention of giving up his whole time to the advancement of the Craft in the Province of Staffordshire . Might the Great Architect of the Universe be gracious to him . They knew that for many years he had not only spent a large fortune in the advancement of this particular Craft , but even before that hc had devoted large

sums from his own private purse to the Volunteer forces of the town , they could only hope and pray that another might be raised up equal unto him , who should lead Masonry . Whether there vvas one vvho could succeed him he could not sa )' . It vvas a most onerous and difficult post to fill . He only hoped that he might in God's good providence be gathered together at thai great da } ' when they should all stand up to give an account to thc Great Architect vvho took a record of all actions through life . Might the Almighty Architect grant eternal rest lo thc soul of their dear brother .

Thc service concluded vvith thc Benediction . Many brethren noss advanced to the grave to take a last look , ancl throwing into the grave thi sprigs of acacia vvhich they had worn during the procession , quietly dispersed .

THE CHICAGO CONGRESS . —The idea of a General Grand Lodge does not meet with favour , and the holding of a Fraternil Congress in Chicigo next year is looked upon with suspicion . There is a fear—and justly , too—that some overzealous brethren , with official distinction buzzing about their ears , may attempt tc organise a body to meet semi-occasionally for " purely social and fraternal intercourse . " It would only be the beginning of something else . The fact of the matter is , Masonry is doing very svell as it is . The Grand Lodges are competent

to conduct their affairs svithout " foreign intervention . " We do need a Masonn : shosv at Chicago , or a formal gathering of Masons at any set time . Those svho are fortunate enough to be able to visit the Columbian Exhibition will go as citizens of the most svonderful nation on earth in many respects . We will meet with many Masonic brethren , and ample accommodation will be provided for friendly intercourse . We cannot all go at the same tvrr . e , and it would not be

desirable that we should , for we would bs deprived of much of the pleasure of sight-seeing by seeing each other . When we go to Chicago next year it will not be to attend a Masonic meeting , but to " see the sights " of the wonderful city of the West . We see Masonry all the year round , and why not have a little playtime when we go to a picnic > We really do not see the particular need for the proposed Congress , but sve do see danger of some " root of bitterness " springing up . —A ' CTO York Dispatch .

According to the lasvs of the Dutch Constitu : ion , if a candidate is blackballed after having been recommended by the Enquiry Committee , he is put back for 14 days , and balloted for again , svhen if the result is the same , a further adjournment of the ballot takes place , but after the third unfavourable ballot the W . M . in open lodge requests the brother svho has an objection to the candidate to step into the room devoted to silence , and there state to him the nature of his objections . Should no brother respond to this invitation , the W . M . requests that the brother svill meet him at his private residence between this and the next meeting and give

his reasons . At the next meeting the W . M . announces that a brother or brothers ( no names are mentioned ) have stated the reason for the adverse vote , but he does not consider the reason a Masonic one , and declares the person elected , or tnc other way . But should no brother call on the W . M . within the 14 days allosved , then the W . M . declares the person elected , as it is considered the bounden duty ol all brethren who know the applicant to give the Enquiry Committee all information either for or against it . Some such law as this would prevent a great deal ol unpleasantness in some lodges ,